The genus Aconitum belongs to the family Ranunculaceae  and as with many other genera of that family Aconitums are poisonous. In fact most are so poisonous that one English common name is  "wolf's bane" and they were a popular way for  royalty of centuries past to get rid of their competition. Aconitums are hardy and can tolerate some shade, but too much shade can decrease flowering.  They prefer fertile, moist, yet well drained soil as most species are native to mountain meadows in the Northern hemisphere.